Published on: 2026-07-27
Source: People’s Republic of China — Translation
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Moscow, July 27 /Xinhua/ — The extension of the mutual visa-free regime between Russia and China is a powerful stimulus for the growth of tourist exchanges. This was stated on Monday during a briefing by the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, in response to a question from a Xinhua correspondent.
“Indeed, it can be said with certainty that the introduction of the visa-free regime, initially planned until September 14, 2026, and now extended for a longer period—until the end of 2027—is a powerful incentive for the growth of tourist exchanges,” she noted.
As noted by the Russian diplomat, the introduction of a visa-free regime on a mutual basis by the two countries has already yielded tangible results. She cited data showing that last year the bilateral tourist flow increased by 17 percent and amounted to 3.3 million people. In the first quarter of the current year, tourist trips increased by 50 percent compared to the same period in 2025.
“Tourist exchanges are one of the powerful drivers for the development of bilateral relations and humanitarian ties, strengthening the traditions of friendship and good neighborliness between Russia and China,” emphasized M. Zakharova, noting the impact of the eased travel regime on the further development of bilateral ties in a wide range of areas, including business contacts, as well as scientific, youth, and sports exchanges.
“We are absolutely confident that the decision to extend the right to visa-free entry on a reciprocal basis has been warmly welcomed by many people on both sides of the border,” the Russian diplomat added.
According to M. Zakharova, it would not be an exaggeration to call this event significant in the context of the 25th anniversary of the Treaty of Good-Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation between the Russian Federation and the People’s Republic of China, celebrated this year, which became the starting point for the successful long-term development of the entire range of bilateral relations, including humanitarian interaction.
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